Lebanon’s Christian Leader Splits with Muslims in Run-Up to Elections

Lebanon’s Christian leader Michel Aoun, split with his Muslim opposition allies on Tuesday, signalling the break-up of the anti-Syrian coalition. Former Army commander Aoun announced that he will put forward candidates in the parliamentary elections which are coming up soon. He will also run for a seat in the district of central Mount Lebanon.

"We’ve decided to wage the election and the decision will be for the Lebanese," said Aoun in a news conference at his home.

After the assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri in February, the anti-Syrian opposition united Christians and Muslims against Syria. The opposition hopes to end Syria’s control of parliament.

Aoun had been exiled from Lebanon for 14 years and returned on 7 May from Paris. His split with the Muslim opposition is not expected to affect the election, but analysts say it will certainly become more competitive.

According to Aoun, he did not succeed to reach joint tickets in the Mount Lebanon province after tough negotiations between members of Druse leader Walid Jumblatt and Saad Hariri, son of the former leader who was killed.

Pressure has been arising between Aoun and Jumblatt since Aoun’s return to the country. Jumblatt and Hariri’s party will run against Aoun’s candidates in one central district.

On Tuesday, Ghattas Khoury, a pro-Hariri lawmaker who had negotiated with Aoun, said that the spilt would offer a very low chance for pro-Syrians to succeed over the district. He said that going to the ballot boxes was "the best way" to settle the issue.

Aoun promised to rebuild a broad opposition alliance and concentrate on restructuring the political landscape and eradicate government corruption. However, other candidates initiated other election deals respectively.

The following elections are Lebanon’s first parliamentary vote since Syria was forced to withdraw its troops due to the domestic and international pressure. The world is watching intensely to see if Syria’s leave in Lebanon will release Damscus’ political grip in the small neighbouring country.